GGL warns against participation in illegal group betting

Legislation

Thursday 11 de September 2025 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Berlin).- The Joint Gambling Authority of the German States (GGL) strongly warns against participation in so-called group betting, which also includes entertainment betting. Such betting offers for a fee, such as those offered on the Polymarket platform, are not permitted under current German law and are therefore illegal.

GGL warns against participation in illegal group betting

In recent weeks and months, the GGL has registered an increasing number of reports about group betting in regional and national media, most recently including bets on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. The increasing public presence of such offers prompts the authority to issue targeted warnings and educate the public about the legal situation and dangers of illegal betting.

Group betting refers to events in public or social life, such as political elections, court rulings, natural disasters, social events, or other non-sporting developments. Such formats are particularly vulnerable to manipulation because they are often based on unclear, subjective, or influenceable events.

Due to the high risk of manipulation, such bets are not eligible for approval according to Section 3 Paragraph 1 Sentence 4 in conjunction with Section 4 Paragraph 5 of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). The legislature has only permitted bets on defined sporting events with verifiable results and clear rules.

Any other type of betting is prohibited and cannot be approved. Organizing or brokering such illegal bets, as well as participating in them and advertising the offer, are punishable offenses.

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: Sin tags

País: Germany

Región: EMEA